Floating bottom container



July 9, 1957 H. o CODDINGTON FLOATING BOTTOM CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24, 1954 INVENT-OR ECZCoci-ciiny Z0 72 ATTORNEYS y 9, 957 H. o. CODDINGTON FLOATING BOTTOM CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Shem 2 Filed Sept. 24, 1954 .2 "m. u a.

INVENTOR flaaadiiny 2077/ g ws w ATTORNEYj Patented July 9, 1957 FLOATING BOTTOM CONTAINER Howard 0. Coddington, Spartanburg, S. C., assignor to Sunray Company, Spartanburg, S. C

Application September 24, 1954, Serial No. 458,217

1 Claim. (Cl. 220-=-93) This invention relates to a floating bottom yarn truck, and has as its primary object the provision of a means in association with a yarn truck, of the type utilized to carry bobbins of yarn, to provide a constant level of the bobbins carried by the truck adjacent the top thereof, regardless of the number of bobbins.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is completely automatic, and wherein the level of the bobbins is controlled solely by the number of bobbins resting on the floating bottom.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device which positions the available bobbins within easy reach of the operator, precluding the necessity for bending or stooping on the part of the operator.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is constantly stable and maintains a level bobbin supporting surface at all times, regardless of the quantity of bobbins at one end or the other thereof.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as a description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View, partially broken away, disclosing a yarn truck incorporating the floating bottom of the instant invention in fully loaded position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but disclosing the truck after a certain number of the bobbins have been removed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, disclosing the floating bottom and its associated elements as removed from the truck;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view partially broken away, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the base for the floating bottom, the bottom and its associated elements having been removed; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 3, as viewed in the direc tion indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, there is generally indicated at 10 a yarn truck of conventional design, including a bottom 11 mounted on Wheels or rollers 12 carried by suitable brackets 13, and including a fixed bottom portion 14 and fiber side and end walls 15. The truck 10 is adapted for the transporting of yarn bobbins 16 from storage space or the like to the looms, as may be desired.

The mechanism of the instant invention is designed to maintain the available bobbins at a constant level, and is comprised of a base generally indicated at 17, which includes a pair of side rails 18, of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, including side rails 19 and a bottom portion 20 (see Figure 5), connected together at their extremities by cross pieces 21. Supporting plates 22 and 23 extend from the ends and sides of the base plate respectively, in order to seat the same firmly on the fixed base 14 and abut the sides and ends of the truck body 10. Adjacent one end of each track 18 and positioned interiorly thereof is an upwardly projecting lug 24. Pivotally secured to each lug 24 is an elongated bar 25, as by means of a bolt 26 and nuts 27. The oppositely disposed members 25 are connected together by a tubular member 30, interiorly threaded at each end, and engaged at each end by a screw 31 extending through a suitable aperture 32 in the elongated bar 25 adjacent its pivotal connection with the lug 24 (see Figure 6). The opposed end of each member 25 carries a roller 35 secured thereto as by means of a stud 36 or the like. A second bar 37 similar to the bar 30 previously described extends between the oppositely disposed members 25 at a point adjacent the rollers 35.

The yarn supporting false bottom comprises a. plate 40 provided on its under side with tracks 41 substantially identical to the previously described tracks 18, but oppositely disposed relative thereto and in alignment therewith. The tracks 41 are adapted for the reception of the rollers 35. The bottom of plate 40 is provided with a pair of depending lugs 42 similar to the previously described lugs 24, which have pivotally secured thereto as by means of pivots 42a the ends of cross bars 43, which extend downwardly to terminate in rollers 44, the rollers 44 engaging in the oppositely disposed tracks 18 previously described. Cross bar members 45 (not shown) secured in position by screws 46 and similar in configuration to crossbars 30 and 37, serve to hold the opposite cross memhere 43 in related assembly.

The members 25 and 43 on each side of the vehicle are pivotally connected together at their midpoints by means of bolts 50 which are secured interiorly of a trans versely extending spacer bar 51, extending between the midpoints of the cross-members 25 and 43.

The false bottom 40 is normally biased upwardly by means of a pair of notch-type springs generally indicated at 52 (see Figures 3 and 4) each of which consists of a coil 53 positioned about spacer bar 51 and a pair of extending arms 54, each provided at its extremities with a U-shaped bracket 55. One of brackets 55 engages beneath the bar 43, while the other engages above the associated bar 25, the arrangement being such that the springs 52 tend to separate one side of each pair of crossed arms, in such manner as 'to bias the false bottom 40 in an upward direction.

From the foregoing, the use and operation of the de vice should now be readily apparent. When the truck is loaded, a layer of bobbins 16 will occasion a slight depression of the false bottom 40 which, when the truck is empty, is closely adjacent the top thereof, and. as each additional layer of bobbins is positioned thereon, the false bottom will progressively sink against the bias of springs 52 until it rests substantially against the base 17. As each successive layer of bobbins is removed, pressure of springs 52 will cause false bottom 40 progressively to rise, thus constantly maintaining a layer of bobbins adjacent the top of truck 10, until such time as the last layer of bobbins is removed, at which time the false bottom will be closely adjacent the top of the truck. The tension of springs 52 may be calculated in such manner as to be equalized by a layer of bobbins to depress the false bottom to an extent equal to the thickness of the layer of bobbins, and, obviously, various strengths of spring may be employed in accordance with the weight of the yarn on each individual bobbin.

Fromthe foregoing :it willnow be seen that there is herein provided an improved floating bottom yarn true whichaccomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercialimportance.

As many. embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbeforeshown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

An elevating platform for use in connection with a yarn truckto provide a floating bottom to maintain the yarn at a predetermined level, on the truck, comprising a base having a pairof side rails which are U-shaped in cross-section, said rails having cross pieces connecting their ends, the sides of the base having plates extending therefrom and adapted to abut the sides of the interior of the truck, an upwardly extending lug secured on adjacent side rails near their ends, pairs of oppositely disposed crossed members, one of each of said members having one end pivotally secured to a said lug and the other end provided with a roller, a platform comprising a false floating bottom for supporting yarn, said platform having a pair of lugs on its under side at one end, one end of each of another one of said crossed members being pivotally secured to one of said last mentioned pairs of lugs, a cross bar extending between the said pairs of crossed members, said pairs of members each pivotally secured at their pivoted joints to an end of said cross bar, and a pair of spring members each coiled on said cross bar and each having free ends operatively connected With adjacent ones of the crossed members, to bias said crossed members to an open position and to urge the platform upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 848,465 Horneyer Mar. 26, 1907 1,161,694 Brade Nov. 23, 1915 1,212,341 Fowler Jan. 16, 1917 1,632,270 Bradley et al. June 14, 1927 1,986,035 Wells Jan. 1, 1935 2,226,308 Gibbs Dec. 24, 1940 2,284,531 Miller et a1. May 26, 1942 2,340,595 Jones Feb. 1, 1944 2,426,514 Long Aug. 26,1947 2,531,880 Herring Nov. 28, 1950 2,599,296 Toomey et a1 June 3, 1952 

